Glimpses of Sara

My mom and I when we visited the butterfly museum last summer.

Me and my poison ivy–not thrilled with each other even a week after it appeared.

(When you’re not great at shooting selfies while driving, transform them into sketches…. ) While I did ask my son how I looked before I left for my first day on the job, I didn’t think about shooting a photo — until I reached my first STOP sign. I look more happy than anxious. :)

My friend Robena and I took a selfie prior to embarking on the Dash for Diabetes 5K Saturday morning.

A selfie of my mother and I on my last visit.

Stars upon thar driver licenses…

Me, this morning, with the trusty float destined to save me from all the denizens of the deep — and the shallows.

Loving being with my husband

The fun before the storm… Little Orange Riding Hood and her sister Trish with unruly, not overly photogenic or cooperative football fans in the background. Did these people not feel the raindrops splashing around us? This was the weekend before the Nightmare with Coughin’ began…

Temporarily pouting, but permanently enlightened!

Daughter-in-love and mother-in-love. :)

Stainless steel frames with progressive, no-line bifocal lenses that are photochromatic and have a premium oleophobic anti-reflective coating for a mere $136.26 shipped to my mailbox in two weeks or less. Zenni, you should hire me to advertise for you.)

My son after his final performance in “Beauty and the Beast.” He played both a beast and a prince perfectly… just like in real life. :)

So it poured rain the day of commencement, which meant it was a bad hair day. But it was a great day with my new, old friends anyway!

Adam and I a mere six years ago…

That would be me…. and, yes, I am smiling behind the mask.

Actually, I was holding the pitchfork, and I wasn’t smiling…

Spontaneous selifes by way of illustration: The two on the left were done with modern technology, me looking at what would be the mirror image WYWIWYG. The right one, quasi modern, digital smartphone camera but holding it as I would a traditional camera.

Fight breast cancer and carry a big stick…

The closest I’ve come to breast cancer is Connie. I’m fighting for her with my strongest weapon, prayer, and by carrying a big stick — more specifically, “Connie on a stick” (featured in the photo with Connie). Please pray for Connie. Today my friend and faithful workout partner undergoes surgery, fighting breast cancer one medical procedure at a time.

I don’t care if this blog post goes viral, but I sure wish your prayers, good thoughts, fingers crossed or whatever on Connie’s behalf do. Pray for Connie. Spread the word, please.

Less than a month ago, 67-year-old Connie was plotting how she could work long enough to support herself at least until age 100. (Her mother is that age and still counting birthdays.) Less than a month ago, a mammogram was a yearly obligation and a reason for a shorter workout and no deodorant the day of the appointment. Until Connie got the call back for more screens and a knowledgeable “it doesn’t look benign” from her doctor. Then the 3D mammogram became her blessing. Along with her astute radiology team and doctor and the swift biopsy and her team of oncologists and specialists and today’s scheduled surgery. Her tumor, too small to feel by touch but revealed by the mammogram, is an invasive type of breast cancer, and Connie is getting rid of it today.

If all goes well, Connie will have a lumpectomy, a high-tech “squid” inserted in her breast to direct radiation therapy exactly where it is needed, and her third of five days of twice-daily radiation on Christmas Eve. Chemo will follow radiation.

I could barely leave the health club in a timely fashion this morning because so many people wanted to know about Connie and, more specifically, what they could do to help. They wanted the details about her cancer, her treatment, her caregivers, etc. One of the more medical types asked:

“Who is going to take care of Connie when she’s going through chemotherapy and getting sick?”

“Connie isn’t planning on getting sick,” I replied, simply.

The women smiled, nodded, and said they expected Connie was feisty enough to fight this, too.

Connie is still planning on living to 100 and beyond — and, quite frankly, I want my workout partner back for another 33 years or so.

I have to keep this short because I want to post this before work so you can start your prayers on Connie’s behalf. I believe prayer is the first weapon we can all wield. The second one I am carrying is “Connie on a stick” (pictured above). Weird, silly, I know. But the back story is this: Connie is the office manager at a small company, and years ago one of her coworkers shot a photo of her, then blew it up to life size and mounted it on a stick, along with her typical sayings meant to keep everyone in line. When Connie would leave for vacation, she would return to find “Connie on a stick” (in various modes of dress) sitting in her chair, keeping the office running as it should.

Yesterday, she brought me “Connie on a stick,” and I’ll be sure to make her alter ego go through our daily workouts in Connie’s absence. It’s one way to let my dear friend know she is missed.

Prayers, please! The hospital is sending me emails. Connie’s in pre-op now. (She has given me permission to blog about her. I did ask!) I’ll keep you posted. Please pray for the best possible outcome, as well as peace and comfort for Connie throughout. Thank you in advance!

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Sara

I have a desire to write something that will change the world. This blog is one little step out of my currently overfilled life of working, parenting, being a wife, housekeeper, laundress, hostess, cheerleader, beader, reader, and leader... When I write, I feel a bit more sane, even if said writing exposes my insanity. Go figure.
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11 thoughts on “Fight breast cancer and carry a big stick…”

I will be praying for Connie! I too, went through a lumpectomy and radiation 15 years ago. Only the mammogram showed the spot that was turning into cancer! I was able to continue working throughout all the treatments! No chemo. They do things differently today😀, love and prayers are going her way! God bless you for your love for her!! 😍💕❤️😍